Dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Dispensing apparatus including a storage element having a reservoir sized for holding a supply of surfactant and an outlet through which surfactant is drawn from the reservoir; a metering device operatively attached to the storage element outlet for measuring an amount of surfactant; and a siphoning tube operatively connected to the metering device. The siphoning tube is operatively connectible to a toilet overflow tube so that the amount of surfactant measured by the metering device is dispensed into the toilet bowl when water passes from the overflow tube to the toilet bowl to refill the toilet bowl.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/624,731 filed Jul. 22, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to dispensing apparatus for cleaning and detecting leaks in a toilet.

Several methods are traditionally used for cleaning toilet bowls and checking for leaks. One method includes scrubbing the bowl with a brush and visually checking for leaks. This method can be supplemented by periodically dispensing surfactant solution into the bowl, either directly or via a water storage tank or reservoir connected to the bowl. The surfactant solution reduces the ability of substances to stick to the bowl, thereby reducing the frequency at which cleaning is needed and the difficulty when cleaning is needed. The surfactant solution used is frequently called bluing, because many of these solutions include blue dye to increase visual contrast between the bowl and the solution. The increased contrast aides the user when checking for leaks. Any fluid leaking from the bowl will be blue, making visual inspection easier. In some cases, the surfactant solutions also include perfume to mask odors.

Apparatus containing surfactant solutions are positioned in the toilet bowl under the rim or attached to the interior of the toilet tank. With every flush, these apparatus release surfactant solution into the bowl. Because of the chemicals in the solutions, placing the surfactant solutions in the toilet tank can deteriorate components necessary for proper toilet function. Further, when placed directly in the bowl, the surfactant solution does not achieve its highest efficiency because it is diluted by a relatively large amount of water, shortening the life of the bluing apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention includes a dispensing apparatus for dispensing surfactant into a toilet bowl. The apparatus comprises a storage element having a reservoir sized for holding a supply of surfactant and an outlet through which surfactant is drawn from the reservoir. In addition, the apparatus includes a metering device operatively attached to the storage element outlet for measuring an amount of surfactant, and a siphoning tube operatively connected to the metering device. The siphoning tube is operatively connectible to a toilet overflow tube so that the amount of surfactant measured by the metering device is dispensed into the toilet bowl when water passes from the overflow tube to the toilet bowl to refill the toilet bowl.

Other aspects of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a dispensing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned in a toilet;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of a dispensing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 3 positioned in a toilet.

FIG. 5 is an detail perspective of a check valve of the dispensing apparatus of the second embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a dispensing apparatus of a first embodiment is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10. The dispensing apparatus 10 includes a storage element (generally designated by 12), a metering device (generally designated by 14), and a siphon assembly (generally designated by 16). The storage element 12 includes a flexible reservoir 20 having an upper end 22, a lower end 24, and an interior sized for holding a supply of concentrated surfactant. The upper end 22 includes a selectively sealable inlet 26 for introducing surfactant into the interior of the reservoir 20. An outlet 28 is provided adjacent the lower end 24 of the reservoir 20 for dispensing the surfactant from the reservoir. The storage element 12 also includes a hanger 30 adjacent the upper end 22 of the reservoir 20 for hanging the storage element from an upper edge 40 of a toilet tank 42 (FIG. 2).

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the metering device 14 includes a container 50 having an interior sized for holding a predetermined amount of concentrated surfactant suitable for replenishing surfactant in a toilet bowl 52 (FIG. 2) when the toilet (generally designated by 54 in FIG. 2) is flushed. The container 50 includes a lower end 60 and an upper end 62. The lower end 60 includes a metering tube 64 forming an inlet to the interior of the container 50. Flexible tubing 66 connects the metering tube 64 to the reservoir outlet 28 so surfactant stored in the container 50 can be replenished from the reservoir after each flush as will be explained in further detail below. A siphon tube 68 extends downward from the upper end 62 of the container 50 for withdrawing surfactant from the interior of the container.

As shown in FIG. 1, the siphon assembly 16 includes a telescoping tube 80 having an upper end 82 and a lower end 84 positioned along an imaginary longitudinal axis 86 of the assembly. The upper end 82 of the tube 80 includes an inlet 88 that is operatively connected to the siphon tube 68 of the metering device 14. The lower end 84 of the tube 80 includes an outlet 90 directed laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis 86 of the tube. The tube 80 also includes a fastener 92 for attaching the siphon assembly 16 to an overflow tube 94 of the toilet tank 42 as shown in FIG. 2. The siphon tube 68 of the metering device 14 and the telescoping tube 80 of the siphon assembly 16 are connected by a stiff tube 96 so the fastener 92 of the siphon assembly 16 also supports the metering device. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the telescoping tube 80 of the siphon assembly 16 allows the length of the tube to be adjusted so the outlet 90 is positioned at a bottom 98 of the overflow tube 84 when the fastener 92 is attached to the overflow tube regardless of the length of the overflow tube. Thus, the dispenser 10 may be used in toilet tanks 42 having differing overflow tube lengths.

To install the dispensing apparatus 10, surfactant is introduced into the reservoir 20 of the storage element 12 through the inlet 26 and the inlet is sealed. The hanger 30 of the storage element 12 is hooked over the upper edge 40 of a toilet tank 42 as shown in FIG. 2. The tube 80 of the siphoning assembly 16 is extended fully before being inserted in the overflow tube 94 of the toilet. The tube 80 is inserted in the overflow tube 94 so the outlet 90 is directed toward a flush valve 100 at the bottom 98 of the overflow tube. The upper end 82 of the tube 80 is pushed downward until the fastener 92 of the assembly 16 slides over and attaches to the top 96 of the overflow tube 94. As the upper end 82 of the tube 80 is pushed downward, the tube telescopically collapses so the outlet 90 at the lower end 84 of the tube is adjacent the flush valve 100 at the bottom of the overflow tube 94.

During use, the dispensing apparatus 10 dispenses a pre-selected amount of surfactant into the toilet bowl 52. When the toilet 54 is flushed, the flush valve 100 opens, allowing water in the tank 42 to enter the toilet bowl 52, thereby rapidly lowering a water level in the tank. When a predetermined amount of water has been released from the tank 42, the valve 100 closes, allowing the Water level in the tank to rise. The rising water level squeezes the reservoir 20 of the storage element 12 so surfactant flows through the outlet 28 and the metering tube 64 to the metering device container 50. When the toilet 54 is flushed again, the water level in the tank 42 drops and rises again. As the water level drops, pressure on the reservoir 20 is relieved, allowing surfactant to travel back into the reservoir 20 from the metering device container 50 until the level of surfactant in the container is even with a top 102 of the metering tube 64. Thus, the metering device 14 automatically measures a predetermined amount of surfactant.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the water level drops, a float 104 in the tank 42 also drops. The float 104 is operatively connected to a fill valve 106, which opens when the float drops to allow water to pass through a bowl fill tube 108. When the water level in the tank 42 drops sufficiently, the flush valve 100 closes and the tank begins to fill. As the tank 42 fills, the fill valve 106 remains open, dispensing water into the tank and into the overflow tube 94 through fill tube 108. Water traveling though the overflow tube 94 to the bowl 52 creates suction in the tube 80 of the siphon assembly 16 so the predetermined amount of surfactant is drawn from the container 50 through the siphon tube 68 of the metering device 14. The surfactant drawn from the container 50 is dispensed into the toilet bowl 52 after the flush valve 100 is closed. Thus, a predetermined amount of surfactant is dispensed into the bowl 52. Once the water level in the tank 42 reaches a predetermined level, the fill valve 106 closes, stopping water from entering the tank and the bowl 52.

As will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the surfactant does not contact the components in the tank 42 outside the overflow tube 94. Therefore, the surfactant does not deteriorate components in the tank 42. Because the surfactant is released into the bowl 52 after water and waste has been removed, the fresh surfactant is not removed from the bowl with the waste. Thus, surfactant is conserved. Moreover, because the amount of surfactant released into the bowl 52 is constant, the user can readily determine when the surfactant supply needs replaced or if the flush valve 100 is leaking. If the surfactant supply needs replaced, insufficient surfactant will be dispensed and the surfactant color will be diluted or not present. If the flush valve 100 is leaking, additional water will enter the bowl 52 through the valve and the surfactant color will be diluted.

A dispensing apparatus of a second embodiment is generally designated by 110 in FIG. 3. The dispensing apparatus 110 is similar to the apparatus 10 of the first embodiment except the container 50 of the metering device 14 has a clip 112 for attaching the container 50 to the overflow tube 94 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The clip 112 permits the container 50 to be moved vertically along the overflow tube 94 to change a fill level in the container. Because the metering device 14 and the siphon assembly 16 have separate means for attaching them to the overflow tube 94, flexible tubing 114 may be used to connect the siphon tube 68 of the metering device 14 and the telescoping tube 80 of the siphon assembly. As a result, the dispensing apparatus is less susceptible to damage.

Further, the dispensing apparatus 110 includes an anti-siphoning check valve, generally designated by 120, at the upper end 82 of the siphon assembly tube 80. The check valve 120 ensures surfactant is only delivered to the toilet bowl 52 when water is traveling through the bowl fill tube 108, which only occurs when the fill valve 106 is open. The check valve 120 prevents the possibility of surfactant from traveling into the water system from the fill valve 106. The check valve 120 is in the shape of a wye. One branch 122 of the wye connects the siphon tube 68 of the metering device 14 to the inlet 88 of the siphon assembly tube 80. Another branch 124 of the wye connects the fill tube 108 to the inlet 88 of the siphon assembly tube 80. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this branch 124 includes a hole 130. If suction develops in the tube 80 when the fill valve 106 is closed, the hole 130 is open to the surrounding air so surfactant is not drawn from the container 50 past the hole in the wye. However, if suction develops in the tube 80 when the fill valve 106 is open, the hole 130 is blocked by water so surfactant may be drawn from the container 50 through the siphon tube 68. Because the dispensing apparatus 110 of the second embodiment is identical to the apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in all other respects, it will not be described in further detail.

Among the advantages presented by the dispensing apparatus 10, 110 of the first and second embodiments are that the apparatus aid in cleaning toilets and detecting leaks in toilets. After each flush, the apparatus 10, 110 release a predetermined amount of surfactant into the bowl. The surfactant reduces the ability of substances to stick to the bowl, thereby reducing the frequency at which cleaning is needed and the difficulty when cleaning is needed. The surfactant solution may include a colored dye (e.g., blue dye) to increase visual contrast between the bowl and the solution. Thus, if there are leaks in the bowl or at a flush valve between the toilet tank and the bowl, the blue dye is diluted providing a visual clue. Still further, unlike some conventional surfactant delivery systems, the dispensing apparatus of the present invention minimize contact between the surfactant and working components of the toilet, thereby reducing the potentially harmful effects of the surfactant on these components.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing surfactant into a toilet bowl, said apparatus comprising: a storage element having a reservoir sized for holding a supply of surfactant and an outlet through which surfactant is drawn from the reservoir; a metering device operatively attached to the storage element outlet for measuring an amount of surfactant; and a siphoning tube operatively connected to the metering device, said siphoning tube being operatively connectible to a toilet overflow tube so that the amount of surfactant measured by the metering device is dispensed into the toilet bowl when water passes from the overflow tube to the toilet bowl to refill the toilet bowl.
 2. A dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the storage element is positioned inside a toilet tank during use; and the reservoir of the storage element is flexible so that pressure within the reservoir is affected by a water level in the tank.
 3. A dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the storage element includes a resealable inlet so that the supply of surfactant may be replenished.
 4. A dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the siphoning tube is telescopically extendable to accommodate differing overflow tube lengths.
 5. A dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the metering device includes a container having a top and a bottom, a metering tube operatively connected to the storage element outlet and extending upward into the container the bottom, and a siphoning tube extending downward into the container from the top.
 6. A dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the metering tube extends upward into the container a pre-selected distance.
 7. A dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the distance which the metering tube extends upward into the container is selected to dispense a pre-selected volume of surfactant to the toilet bowl.
 8. A dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the siphoning tube extends downward into the container to a position adjacent the bottom of the container.
 9. A dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a check valve operatively connected with the siphoning tube for preventing liquid from traveling between the metering device and the siphoning tube unless water is being dispensed through a bowl fill tube of the toilet. 